On I went, out of the wood, passing the man leading without knowing I was going to do so. Flip-flap, flip-flap, jog-trot, jog-trot, curnchslap-crunchslap, across the middle of a broad field again, rhythmically running in my greyhound effortless fashion, knowing I had won the race though it wasn't half over, won it if I wanted it, could go on for ten or fifteen or twenty miles if I had to and drop dead at the finish of it, which would be the same, in the end, as living an honest life like the governor wanted me to. -Alan Sillitoe, "Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner"

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Monthly Running Times Love-in

Have I mentioned how much I adore Running Times?  Only, like, always.  I know.

This is last month's issue - this month isn't
online yet.
Let me enumerate for you why I like the magazine:

  • It treats running like a sport, featuring professional athletes (at all levels, from high school to masters level) whose performances we can follow.
  • At the same time, it treats running like a participatory sport, with advice for improving your performance as a runner.
  • The focus is on performance and not simply on participation.  The tone of the magazine assumes that its readers are experienced runners.

It's hard to keep from comparing Running Times with Runner's World.  I subscribe to (and enjoy) both magazines.  That said, Runner's World seemed to undergo a shift a few years ago to cater more toward amateur runners.  I'm an amateur runner, sure, but I'm still concerned about my performance.  I nearly gave up on Runner's World a few months back when they did a feature on a runner who knits... during marathons.  Props to her, and I'm sure her times are better than mine, but I try to eschew gimmicks.

So what treats did this month's magazine have in store for us?

First of all, they have an extensive feature on elite women who balance full-time work with competitive training.  The take home message?  (As always:) I get too much sleep, evidently.


But next, my favorite part.  Find it yourself above or on p. 64: compression may just work as well as ice baths for recovery.  VINDICATION for those of us who hate ice baths!!!
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4 comments:

  1. Silly Girl RunningWed Oct 20, 08:32:00 AM EDT

    This is just what I needed to hear! That's it, I'm buying myself a compression suit at the expo! Head to toe, baby!

    ReplyDelete
  2. JLTWed Oct 20, 09:30:00 AM EDT

    I've been meaning to sign up since you last mentioned it. whoops. so i ran in compression socks last wkd and it was a mess, they felt SO tight by the end and my calves were like rocks.

    ReplyDelete
  3. TWed Oct 20, 09:52:00 AM EDT

    Really, Jen? Wow - you're the first person I've ever heard to have something bad to say about compression socks!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Majo TinocoWed Oct 20, 01:32:00 PM EDT

    Hate ice baths and I love compression socks. Glad to have Running Times on my side. I might have to subscribe now.

    ReplyDelete

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